Nishikori, Halep, Kvitova sail through

AFP, PARIS: Japan's fifth seed Kei Nishikori, former runner-up Simona Halep and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova were all early second round winners at the French Open Wednesday.
Nishikori, a quarter-finalist in 2015, coasted into the last 32 with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov.
Nishikori, the 2014 US Open runner-up, goes on to face former world number seven Fernando Verdasco of Spain.
Verdasco, 32, is playing his 13th Roland Garros and will present Nishikori with a formidable challenge holding a 2-1 lead in their head to head record.
He won their only meeting on clay in Barcelona in 2012 although that came through an injury retirement.
Sixth seed Halep, the losing finalist to Maria Sharapova in 2014, endured a rollercoaster tie on Court Philippe Chatrier against Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan before securing a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 win.
Halep will next face Japan's Naomi Osaka, the world 101 who has reached the third round at a major for the second successive time having also enjoyed a run to the last 32 in Australia.
Osaka, 18, knocked out 34-year-old Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 6-3, 6-3.
Kvitova, the 10th seed, saw off Taiwan's Su-Wei Hsieh 6-4, 6-1.
Kvitova, a semi-finalist in 2012, next faces Shelby Rogers of the United States.
Russian 13th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2009 champion, was too strong for Britain's Heather Watson winning 6-1, 6-3.
Kuznetsova next faces Fed Cup teammate Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who saw off Cagla Buyukakcay, the first Turkish woman to win a match at a Grand Slam, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

Nishikori, Halep, Kvitova sail through

AFP, PARIS: Japans fifth seed Kei Nishikori, former runner-up Simona Halep and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova were all early second round winners at the French Open Wednesday. Nishikori, a quarter-finalist in 2015, coasted into the last 32 with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Russias Andrey Kuznetsov. Nishikori, the 2014 US Open runner-up, goes on to face former world number seven Fernando Verdasco of Spain. Verdasco, 32, is playing his 13th Roland Garros and will present Nishikori with a formidable challenge holding a 2-1 lead in their head to head record. He won their only meeting on clay in Barcelona in 2012 although that came through an injury retirement. Sixth seed Halep, the losing finalist to Maria Sharapova in 2014, endured a rollercoaster tie on Court Philippe Chatrier against Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan before securing a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 win. Halep will next face Japans Naomi Osaka, the world 101 who has reached the third round at a major for the second successive time having also enjoyed a run to the last 32 in Australia. Osaka, 18, knocked out 34-year-old Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 6-3, 6-3. Kvitova, the 10th seed, saw off Taiwans Su-Wei Hsieh 6-4, 6-1. Kvitova, a semi-finalist in 2012, next faces Shelby Rogers of the United States. Russian 13th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2009 champion, was too strong for Britains Heather Watson winning 6-1, 6-3. Kuznetsova next faces Fed Cup teammate Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who saw off Cagla Buyukakcay, the first Turkish woman to win a match at a Grand Slam, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.